Three Years of Retirement

Three years ago today, we were at Lake Almanor. It marked my official retirement.

While there continues to be some challenges, I am really enjoying retirement.

Sharon and the life that we have built.
blessed to have the kids [Jack, Morgan and Daniel, Drew and Carmen] and
grandkids [ Lee, Clem, Dawson and #4 due in May] nearby.
friends.
TRAVEL.
golf.
my novella about 1991.
books.
movies.
control over my schedule.
a passion for working out...

2026 Lake Almanor - Day #5

I need to pull together some musings about Lake Almanor. This trip had a lot of nostalgia for me.


A lazy morning. We had to be out of the VRBO by 10 am. We packed up the cars and then headed to the Lake Almanor West Golf Course. Even more golf!

We had a 11:30 am tee time. Sharon rode with Holly, while Van and I walked.

I felt solid on the driving range. I was very happy with how I played. My ball striking was consistent. My chipping was solid and didn't cost me any strokes! I just didn't putt as well as I could have. I ended up with one bogey, seven double bogies and one triple bogies. I didn't have a hole where I fell apart.

I carded an honest 54. The last time I played this course three years ago with Nooter I had a 67!?!


Although I have probably played the Almanor West Golf at least five or six times before, I didn't have a picture in my head of any of the holes. The fairways weren't as narrow as I remembered. I enjoyed the course; I liked it more than the Lake Almanor Country Club.

After the round, the four of us had a late lunch at the Almanor West Grill. I had a CLASSIC COBB [Fresh greens, purple cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, bleu cheese, bacon, boiled egg, chicken breast your way], while Sharon had a FRENCHIE WITH FLAIRE [Hot roast beef with provolone, mozzarella cheese and saute'ed veggies on a hoagie roll, served with au jus].

Heading home, we rolled from the course about 2:45 pm. With three short construction stops, we were back in Carmichael just before 6:30 pm. Although we talked about taking 36 to Red Bluff, we took 32 into Chico. Sharon drove the whole way; we didn't stop once.

2026 Lake Almanor - Day #4

The plan for the day was playing golf at the Lake Almanor Country Club Golf Course. We have been coming to Lake Almanor since 1988. I didn't realize the course was open to public play. Asking at the pro shop, the woman that it has been open for public play was long as she can remember!

We teed off at 10:10 am. Sharon rode with Holly. Van and I rented pull carts and walked.

It is a nine hole course. There are a different sets of tees if you want to go around second time to play eighteen holes. We ended going around twice.

I was happy with how I played the first nine. I parred the par four 3rd hole. I made a mess of the 9th hole; it is a long uphill par four back to the clubhouse. If I hadn't three putted four holes, I would have had a very solid score.

I was more inconsistent the second time around. It was hot and I was walking. While the score for the first nine is fairly honest, the second nine was more liberally scored.

We finished the day with dinner at the Red Onion Grill. The restaurant and bar has been there since 2009. Tomasin, Snipes, Hunter and I played pool there in 2012. Sharon and I split Roasted Beets & Burrata [warm roasted organic red beets, burrata, maldon sea salt, olive oil, balsamic gastrique]. For entrees, I had Pork Osso Buco [pork shank braised cacciatore style with tomato, onion, garlic and white wine; cheesy grits], while Sharon had Meyer Lemon Ravioli.

2026 Lake Almanor - Day #3

Holly, Van, Sharon and I spent the morning cruising Lake Almanor. We rented a 20' patio boat from Knotty Pines Resort and Marina. We made a loop around much of the lake, including: Hamilton Branch where the Hamburger Hut used to be; the Dorado Inn where we have stayed off and on for the last 39 years; the Charbier's old property; the dam, and; Plumas Pines.


We had lunch back at the VRBO. Getting organized to take off for the afternoon, we had another adventure with a bat. A bat came in through the front door as Holly was leaving. I herded it out of the back sliding door with a broom.

After lunch, we took off for the Rocky Point Campground. While Holly and Van rode their bikes, Sharon and I hiked four miles along the Lake Almanor Recreational Trail.


From there, we drove into Chester to the Holiday Market. We actually got some thunder and lightning and then a brief downpour just as we got to the market.

Holly and Van made a great dinner to finish the day. Van barbecued some rib-eye steaks and vegetables. They made some pasta with homemade pesto. Van had made a peach cobbler for dessert.

At dusk, there were an enormous number of bats flying from south to north behind the house. I wonder where they were coming from and where they were going...

2026 Lake Almanor - Day #2

Holly, Van, Sharon and I played Bailey Creek Golf Course. Although we have been coming to Lake Almanor since 1988, the course only opened in 1999. I have alot of memories of playing this course over the years, including one particularly memorable round with Wallen twenty-five years ago.

We teed off at 9:30 am. As usual, Sharon rode with Holly, while I rode with Van.

I felt very solid on the driving range, but continue to have trouble translating this to the course. I had a very up and down round; I continue to be very inconsistent. I birdied the short par four 7th hole. I had two other pars and two double bogies. I made a mess of a bunch of other holes.

I had a very liberally scored 112. Unlike most rounds, I actually played slightly better on the back nine.

After golf, I took a nap. Sharon and Holly worked on restaurants for Ireland. Van went for a bike ride.

We finished the night with dinner at the Timber House. Sharon and I both had a Timber House Burger [1/2 lb. Wagyu patty, pepper jack cheese, bacon, TH bourbon BBQ sauce & crispy onion straws].

2026 Lake Almanor - Day #1

When we played Bailey Creek Golf Course three years ago, Sharon talked about wanting to come back to the lake for a golf trip. We finally got something on the calendar with Holly and Van.

We pulled away from the house about 10:15 am. Apple Maps routed us on 80 to 5 to 70 to 149 to 99. I was shocked that Highway 70 is now four lanes all the way from Marysville to Oroville.

We stopped at Jersey Mike's in Chico for lunch. From there, we took 32 to 36. With a short stop to get gas, another to struggle with CarPlay and a stop to register at the gate of the Lake Almanor Country Club, we got to the VRBO just before 3 pm.

Holly and Van pulled up just behind us. After getting the cars unloaded and settled in the rooms, we sat and visited. The house has a partial view of the lake.

Sharon made a 6:30 pm reservaton at Plumas Pines Resort Bar and Grill. Sharon and I split Mountain Brussels [Fried brussels, mission black figs, bleu cheese crumbles, candied pecans]. For entrees, I had Tiger Prawn Linguini Pasta [Cherry tomato, red bell peppers, asparagus, garlic, white wine butter sauce, prosciutto, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, crispy prosciutto, sweet chili gastrique], while Sharon had the Chef’s Special Market Fish (Mahi Mahi).

We drove back to the VRBO around the east side of the lake. Passing the Dorado Inn, I was surprised that there weren't any cars parked behind the cabins.

Everyone crashed fairly early. We are playing Bailey Creek tomorrow.

Two Years of Retirement

Two years ago today, we were at Lake Almanor. It marked my official retirement.

While there has been some challenges, I am really enjoying retirement. My original retirement manifesto is here. While it is still very apt, I intend to update it over the next month.

The one thing that has surprised me is the lack of a regular routine. I thought that we would live into a more regular daily and weekly routine. We haven't. Every day seems to have a different rhythm.

I am pleased to report that I have actually started to make steady progress on my book about 1991. I have been working on it consistently over the last couple of months.

Conversely, I am still not satisfied with the progress that I have made in getting more consistent at golf.

My Life 2020

Like the Lake Almanor and Spring Training pictures, it is fitting that the My Life series includes a picture from Sea Ranch. Sharon and I have spent a lot of time there over the last thirty years.

Given the impact of COVID, I was tempted to use a "Work from Home" picture for 2020. There is one from Sea Ranch that I considered...


All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Jurassic World Rebirth

Thursday evening, Sharon and I went to dinner with her brother Tom and nephew Eric at Matteo's Pizza and Bistro. Sharon had a lamb burger, while I had Al Fresco Sesame Seared Wild Ahi Tuna. My salad was not good...

After dinner, the four of us met Sharon's brother Tim and her nephew Kevin at the Cinemark Century Arden 14 and XD. The six of us saw Jurassic World Rebirth.

Jurassic World Rebirth is a science fiction action thriller film directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp. A standalone sequel to Jurassic World Dominion (2022), it is the fourth Jurassic World film and the seventh installment overall in the Jurassic Park franchise.

The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali (Green Book, Moonlight) , Jonathan Bailey (Wicked Part One), Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein.

In the movie, a pharmaceutical company recruits a team of experts to an abandoned, dinosaur-infested island to extract vital biomaterial for a new heart disease cure. Their mission becomes a struggle for survival when they encounter dangerous, often mutated, dinosaurs and must contend with a separate civilian family whose boating trip went awry. The group faces off against various prehistoric creatures, including a formidable "Distortus rex," as they attempt to escape the deadly island with the crucial samples.

I saw the first Jurassic Park movie during the summer of 1993. While we were at Lake Almanor, Devan dragged everyone to Susanville to see the movie. I don't think that I have seen any of the subsequent films. While Jurassic World Bebirth was entertaining, both Sharon and I thought it was mediocre. We enjoyed Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning more. Seeing this film doesn't motivate me to see any of the five previous films in the franchise that I missed.

My Life 2018

From the late 1990s to 2020, a large group would go to Spring Training every year. We had tickets and hotel reservations in 2020 when Spring Training was suspended just as I was scheduled to fly to Arizona. Unfortuantely, the trip has not been restarted since the pandemic. I am still hoping to go with Sharon in the next couple of years. My Spring Training Game Log is here.

Like the Lake Almanor pictures, it is fitting that the My Life series includes a Spring Training Picture.


All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Presumed Innocent

Sharon and I watched Presumed Innocent on AppleTV+. I read the book sometime in the late 1980s. I can remember that there was a lot of discussion about the book one summer at Lake Almanor (1988?).

Presumed Innocent is a legal thriller television series created by David E. Kelley. It is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow. The series is the first television adaptation of the book, following the 1990 film adaptation starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy.

The show premiered on Apple TV+ on June 12, 2024. It has eight episodes. In July 2024, the series was renewed for a second season.

The series follows successful prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) whose world implodes when his colleague is found murdered and he becomes the prime suspect. The show boasts a stellar cast with Jake Gyllenhaal delivering a nuanced performance as the accused man. Ruth Negga shines as his stoic and complex wife. Peter Sarsgaard is chilling as the ambitious prosecutor determined to bring Rusty down.

Despite its strengths, the series isn't without flaws. I found the pacing uneven. Certain episodes dragged, while others moved at a breakneck speed. The plot has been updated nicely to reflect current technology. I enjoyed the series and recommend it. I do feel that there should have been more breadcrumbs pointing to the plot twist at the end.

Listening to Bill Simmons and Derek Thompson talk about The Future of Everything on a podcast, they made an interesting point about streaming serial shows. It often seems like there is no editor. The showrunner can make episodes as long as they want. In fact, they were agruing that the streaming want the shows to run longer to hold the audience. A number of times while we were watching Presumed Innocent there were scenes that just didn't seem to add anything to the story. I asked Sharon what was the point of that scene more than a few times.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

My book for September was Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford, Dewitt Wallace Professor of Anthropology at Macalester College. When we were at Lake Almanor, the Nooters recommended the book.

The book is a narrative of the rise and influence of Mongol leader Genghis Khan and his successors, and their influence on European civilization. Weatherford acknowledges that Genghis Khan was a ruthless conqueror who committed many atrocities, but he also argues that he was a visionary leader who created a vast and prosperous empire.

The book is particularly interesting in its discussion of the Mongol impact on European civilization. Weatherford argues that the Mongols spread many important innovations to the West, such as paper money, gunpowder, and the compass. He also argues that the Mongols helped to break down the barriers between East and West, which contributed to the Renaissance and the Age of Exploration.

Kindle Notes from the book

The Mongol army had accomplished in a mere two years what the European Crusaders from the West and the Seljuk Turks from the East had failed to do in two centuries of sustained effort. They had conquered the heart of the Arab world. No other non-Muslim troops would conquer Baghdad or Iraq again until the arrival of the American and British forces in 2003.

Genghis Khan shaped the modern world of commerce, communication, and large secular states more than any other individual.

There is a lot of detail in the book about Genghis Khan life that is based on The Secret History of the Mongols. This book is a 13th-century Mongolian chronicle that tells the story of Genghis Khan's rise to power and the founding of the Mongol Empire. It is the oldest and most important surviving Mongol source on Genghis Khan.

Over the years, I have started to look at biographies with a more critical eye. Authors can spin the stories of a person's life in different directions by emphasizing some things and ignoring other aspects. This book has gotten a fair amount of criticism for its revisionist take on Genghis Khan.

I enjoyed the book, but I am not sure what to think about it historical accuracy. I would be interested in bouncing that question off Nooter.

[Note to self], I am going to add the Travels of Marco Polo to my reading list.

The Golf Club at Gray’s Crossing

We spent the night at the Wong's condo. Up early, the four of us walked a couple of miles around the west end of Donner Lake.

After a light breakfast, we headed to The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing for a 1220 pm tee time. On Monday, I had hit at the driving range at Ancil Hoffman. Hitting at the range at Gray's, I felt that I had sorted out a couple of things and was more comfortable than the fiasco at Lake Almanor West.

I felt pretty good about the front nine. I bogeyed two holes, but left three or four strokes on the table by three putting four greens in a row. As Holly said, the greens were wicked. Watching us putt was comical.

I fell apart on the back nine and got a little frustrated. I ended up with a liberally scored 118. The course was beautiful, but hard.

We finished the day with dinner at Cottonwood. Sharon, Holly and I all had a pork chop, while Van had a bavette steak.

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #XX - Reflections

With the Tomasins and the Snipes in cabin 5 and 6, I felt that it was almost like there were two different groups at the Dorado Inn. They had their own deck and area in front of the cabins. Several times during the week I went over and spent some time connecting with them, but we need a better strategy if/when we go back [horseshoes!?!].

I was disappointed that we didn't play any horseshoes. The game has been a central part of the week. Lisa took out pits from along the road behind the house. The Tomasins brought horseshoes, but no one took the lead in getting it organized.

I didn't go on the Tomasin ski boat during the week. I think that I would have liked to try and get up on the wakeboard. Additionally, it would have been fun to have pulled the tube behind the ski boat.

Although I ran on Sunday, rode bikes on Monday, played golf on Tuesday, kayaked on Wednesday, played golf on Thursday and ran again on Friday, I didn't feel like I pushed myself hard enough physically during the trip. I typically don't sleep late. There were a lot of mornings where I was up and moving for an hour or more before anyone else was stirring. In the past, I would have used this time to go for a run to north along 147. I probably should have done that once or twice. I had also hoped to take my mountain bike to the Bizz Johnson trail and do a longer hike.

At the end of the day, I really enjoyed the week. It was fantastic kickoff to my retirement. Having Drew and Morgan, Morgan, Daniel and Lee and Jack there was special. It was great to connect with Nooter, Tomasin and Snipes.

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #8 more

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #8

Up early, I started packing. I tore down the three inflatable kayaks and got them back into their bags. I loaded the golf clubs and the kayaks in the Volvo.

I then started cleaning the kitchen. We had a little bit of mess from making dinner on Friday night.

It took a couple of hours to clean up the cabin and get everything into the car.

One of my goals for the morning was to get some group pictures that I could use for the Christmas Card. We took a lot of pictures of different groups.
Interestingly, everyone seems to be on board for trying to come back again next year. It would be nice to restart the annual tradition! Drew talked to Lisa about coming back next year.

Saying goodbye, Sharon and I rolled from the Dorado Inn about 10:50. We backtracked on 147 to 89. We made a quick stop for gas in Chester. Planning to take 36 all the way to 5, we stopped for lunch at the Highlands Ranch Resort. Although the service was a little slow, we had a nice lunch on the deck. We both had a SPICY TACO SALAD [romaine hearts, five chili spiced beef, pear tomato, roasted corn salsa, black beans, avocado, black olive, chipotle ranch]. It might be interesting to come back to this resort in the winter.

We picked up 5 in Red Bluff and the 80 in Sacramento. We listened to an interesting The Ringer Big Picture podcast about the movie Barbie.

We were back in Sacramento just before 4 pm.

It was a great trip. I will post a number of observations tomorrow.

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #7

Sharon and I headed into Chester on Friday morning to shop. We committed to make dinner for the group on Friday night.

After getting back to the Dorado Inn, Sharon and I headed to the Dwyer View parking lot on the Lake Almanor Recreational Trail. We both ran. I covered about 2.7 miles in forty minutes.

When we got back to the Dorado Inn, Carmen's parents Mike and Pam were there. They came up from Chico and are spending the night in Drew and Carmen's cabin.

After getting some lunch, I took a large group out on the patio boat. It included: Jack and Jason; Morgan, Daniel and Lee; Drew and Carmen; Mike and Pam; Nooter, and; Sharon and I. We pulled Drew and Carmen on the tube and stopped to swim.

At some point, we dropped Jason at the cabin so that he could go back to work. We went back out on the lake for a swim.

I dropped everyone back and the cabins about 3 pm. I took off back across the lake to return the patio boat to Knotty Pines Resort. Drew and Lee picked me up.

When I got back to the cabins, Sharon and I organized a pre-dinner cocktail for everyone. I brought a bottle of Harris Gin, Mediterrean Tonic Water and Grapefruit to make Gin & Tonics. This was the combination that bartender served Tom and I when we got to the hotel on the Isle of Skye.

As the cocktail hour was winding down, I started the coals. I barbecued three large tri-tips and some chicken for dinner. I don't consider grilling my strong suit, but everything turned out pretty well. We also grilled some potatoes and corn. Sharon made an interesting corn on the cob recipe.

A large group finished the night laying on the logs along the shore watching the Perseids meteor shower.

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #6 more

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #6

The plan for the day was to play golf at the Lake Almanor West Golf Course. We had 1120 and 1130 tee times. Like Tuesday, Sharon, Jack and Jason teed off first and played three man best ball. Nooter and I ended up playing by ourselves.

After playing pretty well on Friday at Ancil Hoffman and Tuesday at Bailey Creek, I played horribly. I couldn't get off the tee and three putted a lot of the greens. My struggles got into my head and I played worse instead of better. Thankfully, it is only a nine hole course! I am not going to post the scorecard...

Afterwards, we had a bite to eat in the clubhouse. Jack and Jason decided to play the course a second time from a different set of tees.

David and Lo, Chris and Cassie and Mikey all took off in the morning. Several of them had to work on Friday. John and Julie spent the day going to Redding to visit John's mom. Chris took the ski boat back to Santa Rosa.

When we got back to the Dorado Inn, I organized a group to go out on the boat, including: Rob and Barb; Drew and Carmen; Morgan, Daniel and Lee; Gail, and Joy. We stopped and everyone went for a swim. Afterwards, we cruised down to Hamilton Branch. There used to be a restaurant called the Hamburger Hut that we went to for years. We floated and tried to figure out where everything used to be. I was surprised to see a large house with a seaplane.

Getting cleaned up, we took 17 people to dinner at the Timber House in Chester. Sharon and I spilt Roasted Brussel Sprouts [Served with fresh herbs, bacon, shaved parmesan, balsamic onions & glaze]. I had Linguine Alfredo [Linguine tossed with a creamy garlic, parmesan sauce, with seasonal vegetables and herbed grilled chicken]. Sharon had Grilled Seabass [With grilled seasonal vegetables, herbed butter and lime basmati rice, and caper beurre blanc sauce]. I really enjoyed the evening.

Nooter and I finished the night with a game of cribbage. He won.

2023 Lake Almanor - Day #5 more